UT Arlington names distinguished civil engineer as new College of Engineering dean

ARLINGTON - The University of Texas at Arlington announces today that Jean-Pierre
Bardet, chair of the Sonny
Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University
of Southern California, has
been named dean of the College of Engineering.

Jean-Pierre Bardet

Bardet will succeed Dean Bill Carroll, who plans to step down this
fall and return to teaching computer science engineering. Bardet is expected to
join the University full time by January.

“As one of the nation's fastest-growing regions, North Texas
deserves a top tier research university to educate the workforce for high-tech industries.
Now is the right time to build a world-class College of Engineering with
vibrant research and educational programs to invigorate the economy and improve
the quality of life in North Texas and beyond,” Bardet said. “I am thrilled and
honored to become the new dean and to be given the opportunity to work with
faculty, students, staff and alumni across the University
to achieve great things.”

Bardet studied engineering at Ecole Centrale in Lyon, France, and
earned his Master of Science and doctoral degrees from the California Institute
of Technology. A member of the USC faculty member since 1983, Bardet has chaired
the Civil and Engineering department for five years and has seen its enrollment
double since 2006. During his tenure at USC, Bardet was instrumental in attracting
major, private philanthropic support for his department and the University
overall.

Most recently, Bardet founded and directed USC’s Center on Megacities,
a multi-disciplinary research center that capitalizes on partnerships between
universities, governments and industries to promote innovation that will
prepare and sustain the world’s largest cities for generations to come.

Such experience and expertise uniquely position Bardet to lead the College of Engineering, said
Donald R. Bobbitt, UT Arlington provost and vice president for academic
affairs.

“Dr. Bardet brings the College of Engineering and The University of
Texas at Arlington national and international recognition,” Bobbitt said. “As a
scientist, he has made major advances in the field of earthquake engineering.
As an administrator, he is a proven progressive and innovative leader.”

Bardet was selected from an impressive field of candidates after an
extensive, national search for UT Arlington's next engineering dean. Ron
Elsenbaumer, vice president for research and federal relations, chaired the search
committee, which included Pamela Jansma, dean of the College of Science, and department
chairs, distinguished research faculty and representatives of regional industry
leaders.

UT Arlington’s College of Engineering is propelling the University in
its aggressive mission to become a nationally recognized research university. UT
Arlington achieved a record $63.6 million in research expenditures in the
2009-2010 fiscal year. The College of Engineering directly generated about $33
million of that activity.

“We welcome Dr. Bardet to UT
Arlington and know that his professional accomplishments and his enthusiasm for
education and innovation will help propel the University’s drive to become a major, national research institution,” UT
Arlington President James D. Spaniolo said.

The College of Engineering currently enrolls 3,600 students in eight
undergraduate and 22 master’s and doctoral programs. UT Arlington engineering
research supplies major growth industries
– from aerospace and Homeland Security to bioengineering and information
technology businesses — with new technologies, devices, processes, know-how,
and a highly trained workforce.

The University of Texas at Arlington is
a comprehensive research institution of 33,800 students in the heart of North
Texas. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.